Opera in Chinese Hangzhou by Henning Larsen

The Copenhagen office of Henning Larsen has been active on the architectural scene for more than half a century, but it gained wider fame only after the completion of the Danish National Opera (2004) and received the highest international recognition for the Icelandic concert hall Harpa (2011).
Now, the more than one-million-strong district of Yuhang, part of the Chinese mega-city Hangzhou, is eager to obtain an opera building from Henning Larsen that would represent the center of a newly emerging cultural district on an artificial lake. The design, reminiscent of a white crocus emerging from the water's surface, is described by its authors as “playful and relaxed,” yet with “sharply defined features.” The carved ornamentation in the façade softens the strong mass. Irregular openings allow daylight to penetrate into the foyer. The slightly raised structure enables unobstructed views of the lake. At the same time, staged interaction is highlighted not only between the interior and exterior, but also within the interior among visitors in the foyer before and after performances. In addition to opera, there will be a theater, two museums, an art school, and commercial spaces. The start date for construction has not yet been specified.